Phuket regains #1 spot for tourism as Thai and foreign tourists flood back

[webfact]

File photo: National News Bureau of Thailand

 

Chief of the Southern Thailand Hoteliers' Association Kongsak Khupongsakorn painted a rosy picture of tourism in Phuket in comments to the Thai media.

 

He said that after the reopening of the island and the country in general Phuket had regained its number one spot as a tourism destination.

 

He claimed that 2,000 to 3,000 foreigners were arriving daily along with 7000-8000 Thais.

 

In addition 40% of flights to and from Phuket were now operating compared to 2019.

 

He added that 30% of tourists were back compared to pre-pandemic levels. 

 

He reckoned that HALF of all the visitors to Thailand were going to Phuket. 

 

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[Geoffggi]

Nothing to do with it's the only place where things are more or less back to normal due to their privilege's that have not been given to other places, one could almost say a captive audience.  

[wensiensheng]

So #1 in Thailand. No surprise since it’s one of the few places where bars and entertainment venues are open…….even though the governor has still ordered bars to be closed.

 

it’s busier here, close to what a normal low season looks like. Oh, what, wait, it’s HIGH season?

[mut462]

I really can’t read any more of this blatant, insulting and condescending <deleted> - ok TAT you win, we are all stupid empty heads - good luck with the rich tourists that have this place at the top of their to do list.

[Dukeleto]

Those figures are not what people on the ground are seeing. Methinks he smoketh the good stuff mak mak.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that after the reopening of the island and the country in general Phuket had regained its number one spot as a tourism destination.

For a long time it was the only place open... did he forget that?

[shackleton]

Well glad to read someone is happy with the Tourist numbers arriving 

Looks like it could be difficult getting a hotel room over the Christmas and New Year period 

happy times are here again in Phuket 

[Bagwain]

Santa is cancelled in most of the western world, so maybe he will spend more time in Phuket this yr!! Bahahahaha

More of the B/S Planed Demic to follow.!

[Millcx]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

Nothing to do with it's the only place where things are more or less back to normal due to their privilege's that have not been given to other places, one could almost say a captive audience.  

All 6 of the tourists went to Phuket and spent 127 million ThB each in a 7 day period… It’s over … Thailand has been saved by the army … 55555555

[madmitch]

Maybe some of the larger SHA+ hotels have a 30% occupancy rate but there are hundreds of small hotels and guesthouses out there without a single customer or even a booking!

[ThailandRyan]

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

So #1 in Thailand. No surprise since it’s one of the few places where bars and entertainment venues are open…….even though the governor has still ordered bars to be closed.

 

it’s busier here, close to what a normal low season looks like. Oh, what, wait, it’s HIGH season?

Wait did I read the OP wrong, I thought it meant #1 in the world for tourism, silly me.

[rwill]

When it rains a lot they don't have a flood, just extra water to be moved.

 

When a few tourists show up it's a flood.

[HappyExpat57]

Breaking news!
Pattaya just allowed open-air bars to serve again.

Let's just see how long Phuket stays #1.

[pagallim]

Reality is that there is still only a small percentage of hospitality that are open.   This gives the impression that places are busier than they actually are.   There still seems to be something of a staff shortage also which leads to disappointing quality and service on occasion.

[paul1804]

If the authorities on Samui were a little more commercial and BKK Airways more competitive we could have had at least our fair share here but sadly not the case. Hopefully that will improve in time as I still believe Samui is a premium destination. 

[Sharp]

Tend to find that it will as its the only place in Thailand worth visiting at present.

 

Make hay !!

[Jen65]

the only "flood" I'm seeing is on the news !   Localised flooding / heavy rain in the next few days for southern Thailand !!   Hope these tourists have brought their heavy weather gear .  

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm….. dreams are free?

[crazykopite]

I’ve never read so much BS my ex is living in Phuket she paints a totally different story shops boarded up , many unemployed the fella is spewing out verbal diarrhoea 

[crazykopite]

16 hours ago, paul1804 said:

If the authorities on Samui were a little more commercial and BKK Airways more competitive we could have had at least our fair share here but sadly not the case. Hopefully that will improve in time as I still believe Samui is a premium destination. 

I was there last week the place is decimated was in the Central shopping plaza along with maybe 20 other shoppers and that was mid afternoon . Fishermans village in Bophut is like a war zone and the island I live on is not much better . It’s going to take a couple of years to get back to the good times . Samui is BKK airways biggest money earners in its entire fleet but instead of reducing the cost of flights to attract more visitors they keep them at a high price I choose to fly via  Suratthani if I want to travel within Thailand a much cheaper option 

[pokerface1]

Those people in the picture look familiar  hmmm I know they are from rent a crowd 

[Henryford]

3 hours ago, crazykopite said:

I was there last week the place is decimated was in the Central shopping plaza along with maybe 20 other shoppers and that was mid afternoon . Fishermans village in Bophut is like a war zone and the island I live on is not much better . It’s going to take a couple of years to get back to the good times . Samui is BKK airways biggest money earners in its entire fleet but instead of reducing the cost of flights to attract more visitors they keep them at a high price I choose to fly via  Suratthani if I want to travel within Thailand a much cheaper option 

I would visit Samui more often but i refuse to be ripped off by Bangkok Airways and it is too much of a pain to go via Surat Thani.

[Somtamnication]

No way in hell that these numbers are true.

[3NUMBAS]

speaks with forked tongue as usual blatant rubbish

[fredscats]

On 12/15/2021 at 4:26 PM, HappyExpat57 said:

Breaking news!
Pattaya just allowed open-air bars to serve again.

Let's just see how long Phuket stays #1.

Shut them again      Its all coming to a full stop  enjoy it while u can     2 more weeks Id say

[TropicalGuy]

Patong & Kata / Karon has noticeably higher new tourist numbers since Friday.8000 Thais daily…..er no. Stacking up where ? None sighted in main tourist areas.